House Approves More Details, Typeface Requirements For Kansas Abortion Forms

Some Kansas lawmakers want more detailed information provided to women who seek an abortion.

The Kansas House has advanced a bill that requires abortion providers to disclose additional details about a physician’s credentials, insurance and any disciplinary actions against them. It also says physicians must disclose if they have clinical privileges at any hospitals within 30 miles.

The measure specifies that the information must be in 12-point, Times New Roman typeface. Republican Rep. Susan Humphries said the changes will give women important information about a physician in a format that’s legible.

“That specific phrase was included, about the fonts and the size, because there has been some poor performance by the facilities on their informed consent," Humphries said.

Critics said the legislation is politically motivated and likely to be challenged in court. Democratic Rep. Elizabeth Bishop said the measure is not a good use of their time.

“We haven’t made any progress in revenue reform or any of the really serious issues we have been sent here to fix. But no, we’re talking about type size,” Bishop said.

A Kansas Senate committee has advanced a bill that would update the information provided to a woman seeking an abortion.

The bill also specifies that the information must be printed in 12-point, Times New Roman font so it’s legible. It would add additional details about a physician’s credentials, insurance and any disciplinary actions against them.

Kathy Ostrowski with the group Kansans for Life says the change will give women more information about abortion providers.